Straw-stack former



E. A. ROACH.

STRAW STACK FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20', 1918. 1,377,365.

Patented May 10, 1921.

E. A. ROACH. STBAWSTACK FORMER.

AFPLHJATION FILED MAY 20, 1918.

'5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented May 10,

I E.A. ROACH. STRAW STACK FORMER.

APPLICATION men MAY 20. 1918. 1,377,365. Patented May 10, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

6 H 01 11 mg E. A. ROACH.

STRAW STACK FORMER.

} APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 191a. 1 377 365, Patented May 10, 1921. 5 s5nssriar 4. L gi.

E. A. ROACH. STRAW STACK FORMER. APPLICATION FILED MAY-20,. ma 31 377.365)a Patented May 10,1921.

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UNITED STATES EDSON A. ROACH, OF BORID'ULAC, NORTH DAKOTA.-

sraaw-sracx FORMER.

enses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 10, 1921.

Application filed May 20, 1918. Serial No. 235,533. 1

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, EDsoN A. HOME, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bordulac, in the county of Foster and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Stack Formers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. 7

This invention relates to improvements in mechanism for receiving from harvesters or grain cutting machines the newly cut straws still carrying the grain and, simultaneously with the cutting, forming a relatively large mass of the straws while loose and unbound, putting them into more or less compact condition, and then delivering them to the ground as a stack in which the grams can be allowed to remain until they have been thoroughly cured and conditioned and made ready for threshing.

In the drawings I have shown one of the forms of mechanism embodying my improvements.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stack form ing apparatus of this class.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transversesection on the line 1-4 of Fig. 5. V

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine.

A main frame or base frame is provided, consisting of sills 1, and a front cross girt 2. Beyond this girt and projecting forward there is an extension of the frame having the side bars 3, the front cross bar 4, and the platform 5, these parts being supplementally braced as found necessary. From this lower horizontal part of the main frame there rises a vertically positioned framework comprising the vertical posts 6 at the rear end, and a rigidly connected cross bar 7 at the upper end. Between this upright frame and the horizontal frame there are bracing struc tures each comprising a horizontal element having one or more bars 9 rigid with and extending out from the horizontal part of the main frame, the short sill 10, the inclined braces 11, and the upright elements having.

the rear brace rods 12 and the front brace rods 12 At the front end there are vertical corner posts 13 rigidly secured to the sill of the bottom frame and at theupper ends connected by the cross bar 14, the brace rods 12 belng fastened to the upper parts of the front corner posts.

As many as possible of these sills, girts, uprights and braces are formed of suitable channel, or other structural metal, of shapes 7 The side walls are or may be duplicates of each other. As shown, each-is formed of one or more sheets of light thin metal as at 15 which are rigidly secured at the ends to the rear .posts 6 and the front posts 13. The front end wall indicated by 17 may be similarly formed, orit can be, as shown, made of sheet metal at the lower part and with light spaced rods 17 for the upper part.

The gate structure, indicated as a whole by 18, comprises a frame formed of light plates 19 shaped substantially as shown in Fig. 3, rigidly connected by an upper cross bar 20 and a lower cross bar 21. 22 indicates vertical slats or rods secured rigidly to the plates orbars 19, 20, and positioned in such way as to lighten the gate and at the same time maintain strength and durability. I

The gate is connected to the frame by suitable hinges at 24 on a horizontal axis; These hinges comprise sleeves and a hinge rod 25 which is supported on the corner posts 6, 6

.of the frame, preferably by means of bearings secured thereto. The receptacle which, as above described, has the front wall 1'7, side walls 15 and 16 and the gate 18, is furnished also with a straw supportingbottom element which is constructed as follows: It

is formed in'two half parts or sections which swing in transverse planes. As shown they are formed of sheet metal of sufiicient strength to meet the demands upon them. They can, however, be made of frames with slats or rods or equivalents. Each bottom section is supported by a link 34 pivoted to it at 35; and the link is pivoted at 36 to the upper part of the frame. The outer edge of each of the bottom sections is provided with rollers 28lwhich are fitted in a passageway provided by fianges 29 on the corner posts 6 and 13. These flanges curve outward somewhat at 31 at their lower ends. Between the flanges 29,

21 and the walls 15, 16, there is, it will be I seen, a space or passage adapted to receive a roller such as at 28. There is more or less of an outward thrust exerted by the bottom section 27. This is taken by the flanges of the way or passage 32. The thrust downward of the bottom is taken by the link 34. The pivots 35 for the links 34 are so situated relatively to the pivot axis at 28 for the outer edge of the bottom section that when the inner edge of such section is unsupported the gravity of the load upon it causes the inner edge to begin to swing outward and this is immediately accompanied by an upward movement of the outer axis at 28. The link 34 is also and at the same time swinging outward, the axis 35 swinging outward, upward and downward at times.

To hold the inner edges of the bottom sections against downward swinging use can bemade of any of various devices. As I prefer to have at the center of the machine a device for forming an air duct through the straw mass I utilize this former to support the inner edges.

The duct-former is indicated as a whole by 37. It comprises an upper section 38 and lower section 39 which can move telescopically as to each other both vertically and longitudinally.

The lower section 39 has angle irons or outwardly turned flanges at 39 which normally lie immediately under the inner edge parts of the bottom section 27. These angle parts 39 are supported by means of two holders 50, hinged at 52 to the bottom of the gate, and 51 hinged at 53 to the bottom frame bar.

The position of the holder 50 is controlled by a link or cord 55 extending up therefrom to a crank 59 carried by the rod or shaft 25. 58 is a second crank carried by this shaft, and which, by link 60, is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 61. The other arm is, by link (S3,v connected to a manually operated lever 64 pivotally connected to the machine frame at 65 through the platform board 69. The lever can be held in the locking position by detent 66 and a notched segment 67. The lever 64 is by link 70 connected also to a front rock shaft 71 having cranks 72, 73. The crank 73 is connected by a link 74 with a crank arm 54 rigid with the holder 51.

When the operator standing on platform 69 releases lever 64 and pushes it backward, it, through the two trains of devices just specified, moves the holders 50 and 51 away from their positions below the angle parts or flanges 39, and the duct former is free to move downward. If there be a load of straw in the receptacle resting upon the bottom sections 27 they tend to move downward immediately upon the withdrawal of these holders 50 and 51.

Immediately after the inner edges of the parts 27 start downward, they move out of contact with the lower element 39 of the air box or duct former; and, as above stated, as soon as these inner edges begin to move downward the outer edges begin to also move outward and upward, the rollers at the axis 28 traveling along the flanges 31. The axes at 35 also swing outward and downward. When the outer movements of the sections 27 are completed, each part of the bottom is in a substantially vertical position, the free edge of each being suspended at a horizontal line considerably above the surface of the ground. The load of straw in the receptacle is allowed to settle quickly and directly downward, the sections of the bottom being quickly taken out from under it.

As the straw moves down, it presses downward the duct former 37.

The latter is connected to the other parts, as follows: 40 is a link pivoted to the front part of the frame, the pivot being preferably seated in an elongated aperture or slot 76. The rear end of the link 40 is pivoted at 41 to two plates 42, connected to the air box. 40 is a second link pivoted at 40 to the lower part of the front frame and at 40 pivoted to the lower part of the air former. This link is forked at the rear end, so as to give a wide base of attachment.

The box or duct former is made in two main parts, 38 and 39. sists of upstanding metal plates which are secured to cross plates 48 and 49. The upper part 38 is. bent to provide a rounded closure at the top, and parallel vertical sides which extend down to and fit closely against the outer faces of the upstanding walls of the part 39.

The upper element 38 and the lower 39 are flexibly connected together by links 44 and 45, these links being preferably formed of plates with flanges adapted to engage pivots 46 at their upper ends and pivots 47 at their lower ends; the pivots 46 connecting the link elements with the upper part 38 and the pivots 47 connecting them with The part 39 conthe lower part 39. When thus connected the '..i

two elements 38 and 39 of the duct former can have movementlongitudinally of each other and also vertically. This movement is governed and resisted by a spring 43 connected to the upper pivot of the link 45 and the lower pivot of the link 44.

The downward movement of the box or air former as a whole is governed and resisted by a spring 77 connected to the main frame and also connected to the swinging link 40.

The mechanism above described is supported upon suitable wheels arranged in such way that the structure as an entirety can be regarded as a vehicle. 80, 80 are revise-s two wheels mounted upon axles 81 which are supported in the main sills 1 and the outer short sills 10.

The front part of the frame is supported upon truck wheels 82 mounted on an axle 83 which can vibrate horizontally with a pivot holder 84 mounted suitably in the frame. p

The manner of using the apparatus above described will be readilv understood. It can be attached to a cutting mechanism similar to that used in harvesters and binders, and combined with means for transferring the straws from the cutters to the receptacle. grdit can be drawn separately across the The straw that is deposited in the receptacle of the vehicle is gradually piled upward on the sections 27 of the bottom, first at the sides of, and then over the top of,

the air box or duct former 37. Finally it reaches the top of the receptacle andthe load is ready to be discharged. At such time the operator on the platform 69 releases lever 64 and pushes it backward. this as above set forth draws the holders 50 and 51 from their operative positions and allows the. lower part of the air box 37 to move downward. After the box has moved down a short distance, the inner ed es of the bottom sections 27 are released; greater part of the weight of the load rests upon the inner parts of the bottom sections they begin to move down while the outer edges at 28 begin tomove upward and outward, the suspending links 34 accommodating themselves tothe changes in positions of the parts 27. The "straw mass presses the air former 37 downward, and itcontinues to settle under the weight of the mass until it reaches the ground. The upper element 38 will tend to settle further and move down over the lower part 39, the parallel joint links 44, 45, permitting this movement.

During these parts of the operation the vehicle has been continuously advancing. The links 40,- 40 exert forward pull on the box acting to draw it forward from underneath the straw mass. Just before the duct former escapes from the stack on the ground the bottom sections 27 of the receptacle are freed from the stack and are permitted to swing inward and upward to their approximately horizontal positions. As soon as the rear end of the duct former reaches the front end of the stack the springs at 43 and 77 tend to elevate it again to its position in the receptacle. Shortly after it has been returned the gate 18 escapes from the top of the stack, and its swings to its closed position.

The'operator then returns the lever 64 to its forward, position bringing the swinging holders 50 and 51 under the ends of thesections 27 of the bottom and under the ends sthe of the duct former. The parts are now in position to i receive another load.

What I claim is:

1. In'a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle, having at the bottom straw supporting and delivering devices, an air duct former normally situated above the said supporting devices and movable vertically independently thereof.

2. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle, having at the bottom straw supporting and delivering devices and an air duct former arranged to move vertically from a position above the supporting devices to a position below them.

3. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle, having at the bottom straw supporting and delivering devices adapted to be moved from below the load before it contacts with the ground, and an air duct former movable from a position above the normal position of the supporting devices to a position where it rests, from end to end, directly on the ground.

4. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle having at the bottom straw supportingand delivering'devices and an air duct former arranged to have the straw p0- sitioned above and at the sides thereof, while the supporting devices are in their normal position, and movable downward with the straw independently of the supporting devices;

5. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle having at the bottom straw supporting and delivering devices movable laterally from below the load, and an air duct former normally positioned above said supporting devices and movable directly downward vertically while under and with the load, said supporting devices being separable from the duct former.

6. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle, having at the bottom laterally movable straw supporting and delivering devices, and the air duct former movable downwardly with the load independently of the supporting devices.

7. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling receptacle, having at the bottom the laterally movable straw supporting and delivering devices, and the vertically movable air duct former separable from said supporting devices.

8. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the traveling straw receptacle having at the bottom the longitudt nally "stationary straw supporting and de livering devices adapted to be moved from &

under the load, and an air duct former laterally stationary relatively to the load.

9. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle, having at the bottom the longitudinally stationary straw supporting and delivering devices movable from beneath the load, and thevertically movable air duct former stationary laterally, but movable longitudinally relatively to the load.

10. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle, having at the bottom straw supporting and delivering devicesand an air duct former normally inside the receptacle and separably connected threwith, said straw supporting devices and said air duct former being movable independently of each other from and to their normal positions.

11. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle having straw supporting and discharging devices normally positioned approximately horizontally and an air duct former adapted to be positioned close to theground surface independently of the supporting de vices, the latter being adapted to deposit the load in such position as to be upon and at the sides of the duct former.

12. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle having bottom straw supporting and delivering devices movable laterally from beneath the load, and a duct former permanently held in the central longitudinal planes of the receptacle and adapted-to move down with the load to points near the ground surface.

13. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle, having bottom straw supporting and delivering devices adapted to be moved from under the load and an air duct former adapted to be positioned under the load at points near the ground surface when said straw supporting devices are out from under the load, and also to be positioned in the receptacle.

14-. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle, and the air duct former detachably connected to the receptacle and arranged to have the straw mass rest thereon, and to be positioned near the ground, in substantialparallelism to the ground surface when the straw mass is so resting.

15. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle having a straw supporting bottom, and the air duct former normally movable vertically relatively to said bottom, and independently thereof.

16. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the straw receptacle having a straw'supporting bottom and a vertically movable air duct former, and means for automatically moving the former vertically relatively to the bottom.

17. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle having a straw supporting bottom, and the air duct former, vertically movable relatively to said bottom and connected at points near its front end to the wheeled support.

18. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle, having a straw supporting bottom, and the air duct former movable vertically relatively to the bottom, and connected at points nearits front end to the wheeled support, and having an unobstructed exterior surface at points in the rear of the front connecting points.

19. In a straw stack forming apparatus,

the combination of the wheeled support, the

straw receptacle having a straw supporting bottom, the air duct former movable vertically to the bottom, means for exerting forward draft on the former, and an automatically acting lifting device connected to the rear end of the former.

20. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the whee-led support, the straw receptacle having a straw supporting bottom, the chambered air duct former movable vertically relatively to the bottom, means for'exerting forwarddraft on the former, and an automatically acting lifting device connected to the rear end of the former, and situated in the chamber in the former.

9-1. In a straw stack forming apparatus,

the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle having a straw supporting bottom, the air duct former movable independently of the bottom, the draft devices at the front end of the duct former connected to the support, and devices for bold ing the rear end of the duct former against lateral movement. E22. Ina straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle having a movable bottom, the air duct former movable independently of said bottom, the draft devices connecting the front end of the duct former to the support, and means bearing laterally against the duct former at its rear end to hold it in proper alinement.

23. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle having a movable bottom, the air duct former movable independently of the bottom, the draft devices at the front end of the ductformer, and devices engaging laterally with the bottom part of the duct former at its rear end to hold it in alinement.

24. In a straw stack forming apparatus,

the combination of the wheeled support, the straw receptacle having a movable bottom, the duct former movable independently of the bottom and having vertical side walls, devices engaging with the duct former to move it longitudinally, and means bearing laterally against the said vertical side walls to hold the duct former in alinement.

25. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheel supported receptacle having a movable bottom, the air duct former movable independently of the bottom, means for moving the duct former longitudinally, and means engaging detachably with the duct former to hold it in predetermined alinement.

' 26. In a straw stack forming apparatus, the combination of the wheel supported receptacle, the vertically movable air duct former, the bottom of the receptacle, movable independently of the duct former and resting on the duct former when in normal position,

27. In a straw stack forming apparatus,

the combination of the wheel supported receptacle having a movable bottom, the air.

duct former movable independently of the bottom, and means for holding the duct former below the bottom to support it thereon. 1

28. In an apparatus for forming stack masses of loose, unbound straws, a straw tudinally across the said plane and are bodily movable laterally from beneath the straw mass to permit it to drop directly downward'to the ground, and having a movable gate wall to permit the receptacle to move freely away from the upper part of the stack mass.

29. In an apparatus for forming stack .masses of loose, unbound straws, a straw receptacle having means for forming and holding a wide, elongated and high stack of straw of uniform shape from top to bottom, ground wheels for the receptacle on an axis in a transverse vertical plane between the ends thereof, a rear movable gate wall, a bottom structure formed in two sections extending longitudinally across the said plane, and means for withdrawing said sections in transverse vertical planes substantially entirely from beneath the stack mass in the receptacle to permit said mass to drop directly to the ground.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

EDSON A. ROACH. 

